Rapid deployment flood control system

Abstract

A flood control system involving a means of providing a plurality of lightweight, mobile but strong containers having a rigid bottom portion, rigid end panels and rigid sidewalls operably connecting the bottom portion and end panels. The system provides means of attaching the containers to one another. The system provides for a plurality of containers to be freely positioned at selected locations proximate to a rising water level in an abutting relationship to form a barrier. The system provides means for the containers to be self-filled with rising floodwater due to the increase pressure from the rise in the water level.

Description

[0001]Current U.S.205 / 114; 220 / 1.6; 220 / 495.06; 220 / 646; 450 / 20;Class:405 / 111Intern'l Class:E02B 003 / 12Field Of405 / 20, 70, 71, 121, 108-111, 114-115, 110, 16, 17 107,Search:220 / 1.6, 495.05, 495.06, 62.11, 608, 623, 669-673,62.18, 645, 646REFERENCE CITED [0002]U.S. Patent Documents422901March, 1890Arnett405 / 114848319March, 1907Phillips220 / 621077791November, 1913Blaauw3191386June, 1965Wiegel et al3213628October, 1965Serota3901406August, 1975Kivett220 / 84362433December, 1982Wagner et al4370075January, 1983Scales405 / 204692060September, 1987Jackson, III4869617September, 1989Chiodo4921373May, 1990Coffey5040919August, 1991Hendrix5059065October, 1991Doolaege5125767June, 1992Doolaege5154302October, 1992Alcorn220 / 45183180February, 1993Hawkins et al220 / 6695188460February, 1993Dorse220 / 4955632573May, 1997Baker5645373July, 1997Jenkins5655679August, 1997Schutz220 / 15673664October, 1997Lassanske220 / 4955779391July, 1998Knight405 / 1145,993,113November, 1999Darling405 / 1146,012,872January, 2000Perry, et ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021] In a more specific aspect, the flood control method includes the steps of: (a) identifying a flood zone area prior to flooding, the flood zone area being proximate a body of water having a top surface, the body of water being susceptible to flooding whereby the top surface of the body of water rises and the water flows into, and onto, the flood zone area; (b) identifying a flood protection barrier area proximate the flood zone area; (c) providing a substantially level support surface within the flood protection barrier area; (d) providing a plurality of containers, the containers having a bottom panel, a pair of end panels, and a pair of sidewalls operably connecting the bottom panel and pair of end panels; (e) positioning at least some of the substantially rigid containers in a substantially empty state adjacent to one another in a substantially abutting relationship on the substantially level support surface within the barrier zone to form a barrier to flooding; (f) attaching at least one of the substantially rigid containers to an adjacent substantially rigid container; and (g) forming a seal between adjacent substantially rigid containers to prevent the flow of water between the adjacent substantially rigid containers.

Problems solved by technology

Some of the disadvantages with stationary flood control systems are the amount of time needed and the high cost to engineer and build them.

Other disadvantages are that these systems consume a tremendous amount of land and result in the destruction in valuable historic and ecologic treasures.

Other disadvantages are that the dam is fixed in a permanent location and the designed capacity that may be inadequate because the amount of rain can vary greatly.

Also the adverse impact upon the environment that these systems produce is now widely recognized.

In some areas dams are being destroyed.

Yet this does not negate the fact that a viable means, for flood control is needed in place of these systems hence this device will meet this need.

Sandbags, however, have a number of logistical problems and disadvantages.

One of the problems with sandbags lies in the amount of human labor required for their installation Each bag must be filled, usually by hand, and then placed at the location where the barrier is being constructed.

Another problem is obtaining and transporting sufficient quantities of sand for filling purposes, which is often very expensive and time-consuming.

Another problem is the logistics of coordinating the human effect of filling the bags and placing them at the right location within the appropriate time frame.

Another problem that can make the use of sandbags very difficult is the fact that sandbags must often be placed in pouring rain creating safety hazards.

Still another problem is that the placement of the bags must be done in a precise manner otherwise instability will be created.

Another problem is that plastic sheeting or netting is often needed to prevent seepage and weakening of the dam.

Another problem is that the sandbag dam requires constant monitoring and maintenance to prevent a breakthrough resulting in failure.

Still another problem is that after flooding, once the waters have subsided, the sandbags must be removed, either in a filled condition, or else emptied of their contents at the location.

These systems can be rather complex to use.

At least one of the shortcomings of the above systems is that they are difficult to install quickly.

Further, some are incapable of providing resistance to flood waters unless they are filled with water.

They lack the structural strength of rigid structures or containers.

Among the many shortcomings of these “water bag” approaches is that many of them simply do not adequately overcome the time and labor problems presented by sandbags.

Unless these containers are filled with water, they cannot be stacked nor can they even form an effective barrier.

The weight of the containers and the use of the lifting equipment increase the risk of injury and death for those who assist with the deposition of the containers.

These factors increase the logistics and cost of using these systems.

Another shortcoming is the complexity of providing an adequate means of stability against tipping over in some of these systems.

The use of this anchoring means limits the locations where the systems can be placed.

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